On this day 15 years ago, Singapore witnessed the greatest achievement by one of its golfers when Mardan Mamat claimed the OSIM Singapore Masters at Laguna National Golf and Country Club. We spoke to Mardan this week about that memorable victory.

Mardan Mamat is a man of many firsts. He was the first Singaporean to compete in The Open championship, when he successfully qualified in 1997, and his success in the Indian Open in 2004 meant he became the first player from his country to win on the Asian Tour.

To date he has tasted victory on the Asian Tour five times and has played in the World Cup on five occasions, among countless other achievements.

Mardan is congratulated by Dougherty after their final round battle. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

But it is his win in the OSIM Singapore Masters in 2006 that he is best known for as the event was jointly sanctioned by the European Tour and Asian Tour.

He was thrust forward into the international spotlight as he became the first player from the Lion City to win on the elite European Tour; and, he became a national hero.

“I can’t believe it’s been 15 years! Time flies,” said Mardan, having just played a practice round at Changi Golf Club, ahead of a local event there next week.

“It was an incredible victory and one I will never forget.”

He created history when he held off the defending champion Nick Dougherty of England for a one-stroke win.

A final round of 71, one under par, saw Mardan finish on 12-under-par 276 and complete an astonishing and emotional wire-to-wire victory.

Mardan celebrates winning with his daughter Syahira, son Syirham and brother Mazlan. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

It earned Mardan, who was 38 years old at the time, a cheque for €138,560 and a two-year exemption to the European Tour.

“We had been practicing a lot on the course before the event and my short game was particularly good – which was a big reason why I won,” he said.

It was a behemoth and brave win as he had to hold off a late and daring challenge from Dougherty – the 23-year-old rising star of European golf.

Mardan started the final day one clear of Dougherty and when the Englishman fell back with three dropped shots on the front nine, it appeared Mardan would coast to victory.

But, as expected, Dougherty clawed his way back into contention with some gutsy play over the back nine. He birdied the 11th but remained three behind with four to play. And a magnificent second shot then left Dougherty with a 10-foot eagle putt on 15 but the putt refused to drop and Mardan got up and down to bravely match his birdie.

Dougherty then birdied the 16th to move within two as they walked to the par-three 17^th – the most difficult hole on the course. Both players missed the green but saved par, leaving Mardan two clear playing the last.

“My main goal on the back nine, that day, was to make sure I had a two-shot lead playing the final hole,” adds Mardan.

It proved to be an excellent strategy as Dougherty applied pressure by making birdie on the last.

“I hit a good drive and a wedge in on 18 but my approach went over the back. I managed to chip it very close and hole out. It was what I had dreamed of, to win a big event in Singapore, especially a European Tour co-sanctioned tournament,” said Mardan, who was roared on all the way at Laguna by large and unprecedented crowds.

“It was a very big achievement in my life. Things went my way. And I hoped it inspired all young Singaporeans to achieve what I achieved. It was such a good feeling that I cannot express it.”

Mardan plays his tee shot on the ninth hole during the third round. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

“It just all went horribly wrong for me on the front nine,” said Dougherty. “I fought back well but it was not enough in the end. Mardan finished off very well. It is tough to hold off a bunch of us and I think he did himself proud today.”

Mardan’s win completed an incredible journey from humble origins, and the very definition of golf at grass roots level.

As a kid he had caddied at Jurong Country Club with his brother Mazlan. And it was there that he learned to play the game, using an old six iron.

It was not until he was 15, in 1982, that he got his first full set and by the time he was 18 he was a 12 handicapper.

Thanks to an exemplary work ethic he was off scratch by the age of 22 and he was soon playing for the Singapore national team in the biggest amateur tournaments in the game.

It was a remarkable rise embellished by four fantastic days at the OSIM Singapore Masters in 2006.